Cable reel jack



May 30, 1939. F. L. GORMLEY El AL CABLE REEL JACK Filed Dec. 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l .Ewchiors) .Frank L Gormlcy, Hugh A5117 rown,

May 0, 1939. F. L. GORMLEY ET AL 2,160,543

CABLE REEL JACK Filed Dec. 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I lrwenlors: 12 fi'ankLGormZey,

flight Brown.

M02 aiombawb Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT QFF'I-C 'E CABLE REEL JACK Application December 27, 1938, Serial No. 247,878

7 Claims.

This invention relates to lifting jacks and par- .ticularly to automatic lowering ratchet jacks and it consists in a jack especially adapted to support reels of cable while the reels are being wound or unwound.

One ofthe principal objects of the present invention is to provide swivel rests for the opposite ends of the spindle supporting the reel thereby preventing any binding as the reel supports will swivel andproperly aline themselves with the spindle supporting the reel.

.Another object of the invention is the provision of a brace arm pivoted to the jack casing and so constructed as to be shortened or length r ened to accommodate it tovarying conditions.

These and many other desired objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention,

one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organi- Zation of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the'appended claims.

7 Of the drawings:

' Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an automaticlowering cable reel lifting jack embodying the principles, of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the same. Figure 3 represents a vertical section of the adj'ustable'brace arm pivoted to said jack.

Figure 4 represents a transverse section of said arm on line 4, 4 on Fig. 3.

Figure 5 represents an elevation of the bracket to which the brace arm is pivoted, and

Figure 6 represents an edge view of one of the clips for gripping the brace arm when not in use.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. In the drawings, I0 is a heavy base made up of a plurality of sections interlocked as shown at I in Fig. 1 and secured together by bolts l2.

Superimposed upon this base l0 and secured thereto is a jack casing |3 of usual construction. v The upper end of this casing l3 is provided with a handle M by which'the jack may be moved from place toplace.

' Extending outwardly from the jack casing is the lever socket |-5'-bywhich the actuating mechone side thereof.

anism inside of the casing |3 may be operated to raise the ram |6.

As there is no invention in this enclosed actuating mechanism it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate the same. 5

The actuating mechanism is similar to that shown'in Letters Patent No. 2,135,938 issued to Frank L. Gormley, November 8, 1938.

Secured to the upper end of the ram I6 is an L-shaped member I! the'dependingportion |8"10 of which has formed integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom a plurality of projections l9, each projection having a vertical cylindrical opening 20 extending therethrough in which opening is disposed the cylindrical shank 21 of a yoke or rest 22.

By having this cylindrical shank 2| of each yoke 22 fitting the openings 20 the yoke is adapted to swivel about the axis of said shank.

In the same manner the upper end of themem 20 her H has a cylindrical opening 23 therein to which is accurately fitted the cylindrical shank 2d of another yoke 25.

This yoke 25 is adapted to swivel about the axis of the shank 24. 25

To one side of the casing I3 is secured'a bracket 26 by means of the screws 21.

When desired this bracket may be removed from the casing l2 and aflixed to the opposite side of said casing in-an obvious manner.

The bracket 26 has ears 28 extending outwardly therefrom supporting a pivot pin 29 extending through the ears 30 of a tubular member 3| having parallel ribs 32 extending lengthwise of Disposed in and movable endwise of this tubular member 3| is a bar 33 provided with a plurality of cylindrical holes 34 extending therethrough.

The lower end of this baris pointed as shown at 35 and above this pointed end and secured thereto arethe oppositely disposed angle irons 36.

These angle irons 36 have fiat under faces which prevent the pointed end 35 from being inserted too far into the ground when the brace member 3|, 33 is in operation.

At one side and between the ribs 32 of the tubular member 3| is secured at 31 the upper end of a spring member 38 having secured thereto near its lower end a locking pin 39 adapted. to enter either one of the holes 34 in the bar33 when said bar 33 is adjusted relatively to the tubular member 3| to vary the length of 'thebrace arm3|,'33.

Above the pin 39 the spring 38 has secured thereto a stop member 40 which limits the outward movement of the spring 38 when it is sprung out to release a pin 39 from one hole 34 and insert said pin 39 into another hole 34 of the bar 33.

It is obvious, therefore, that this bar 33 may be adjusted relatively to the tubular member 3| to vary the length of the brace arm 3|, 33 to accommodate the same to varying conditions of ground on which the jack may be disposed.

When the brace arm 3|, 33 is not to be used the bar 33 may be moved upwardly in the tubular member 3| and locked in position therein.

When this has been done the tubular member 3| with the bar 33 therein may be moved about the pivot 29 into the vertical position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

At this time the bar 33 will be between the two spring clips 4| secured at 42 to the opposite sides of a rib 43 forming part of the casing I2.

Each of the clips 4| has a projection 44 on its inner face which enters the opening 45 in the lower end of the bar 45 and locks the brace arm 3|, 33 in position while the jack is being transported or when not in use.

The lower end of the spring 38 is bent outwardly as shown at 3851: in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Opposite this outwardly bent portion 38:1: the lower end of the tubular member 3| is cut away as indicated at 3|:v in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

This provides a means whereby a finger may be inserted between the outwardly bent portion 380: of the spring 38 and the wall of the cut away portion 3|:1: and thereby force the spring 38 outwardly a sufficient distance to remove the looking pin 39 thereof from one of the holes 34 in the bar 33 preparatory to its insertion into another hole 34.

The pin 40 is provided at its inner end with an enlarged portion 46 which when the spring 38 is moved outwardly comes into contact with the shoulder 41 on the tubular member 3| and limits the outward movement of said spring 33.

The projecting portions of the shanks 2! and 24 may be upset in order to prevent accidental displacement of the swivel yokes 22 and 25.

The provision of this means for swiveling the yokes 22 and forms an important part of the present invention.

The jack shown and described in the present application is designed primarily for the purpose of supporting cable reels and the like, and is used wherever it is necessary to raise a cable reel when winding or unwinding the cable mounted thereon.

In performing this work two jacks are used, one being placed on each side of the cable reel and the spindle or center support which extends through a hole in the cable reel, is supported at each end on the yokes or rests 22 and 25.

Both jacks must be raised the necessary distance to permit the lower part of the cable reel tobe clear of the ground or floor so that the reel may be revolved around the spindle supported by the jacks and thus allow the cable to be unwound from the reel.

The jacks which have been in use generally for this purpose have a reel support attached to the jack but this reel support or resthas been stationary.

Consequently, when placing the jacks in position for raising the reel if the spindle of the reel is out of line with the rest in the jack, the reel is liable to bind and not turn freely.

By having these yokes or rests constructed so they will swivel, these yokes or rests supporting the reel will be permitted to properly aline themselves with the spindle in the cable reel and eliminate all possibility of binding.

Moreover, in the jacks generally used for this purpose, the base support for the jack is generally made T-shape, which has been found in practice to be objectionable, inasmuch as the jacks are very often resting on uneven surfaces and consequently it has been found necessary to use wedges under the T-shaped base in order to have the jack set sufficiently rigid to carry the load.

Moreover, the T-shaped base takes up more room while with the base arm 3|, 33 used as shown and described in the present application, much less room is necessary in order to place the jack in position for raising the cable reel.

This is very important especially when the jacks are used in a storehouse where space is li ited.

By dispensing with the T-shaped base the jack" of the present invention is made much lighter and is more easily transported.

When the jack is to be used the brace arm 3| 33 may be positioned. at any desired angle relatively to the jack casing and extended for any' desired length according to the condition of the surface of the ground or floor on which the jack is to be used.

When the jack is not in use it is obvious that the brace arm may be reduced in length and.

locked to the casing 3 by means of the spring clips 4|.

This means of locking the brace member 3|, 33 in contact with the casing |3 enables the jack to be placed in a truck without occupying too much space.

Moreover, when in this condition it is easier to handle and is less dangerous when placing a jack in position to raise the cable reel.

By providing means whereby the bracket 26 may be mounted on either side of the jack, it is obvious that the adjustable brace arm 3|, 33 may be used on either side of the jack when either left or right hand jack is required for raising the cable reel.

By making the lower end of the bar 33 pointed, it may be inserted into uneven ground for some distance until the angle irons 36 contact with the surface of the ground, thus making a very secure brace which will prevent the jacks from tilting under the load of the cable reel when being either wound or unwound.

The jacks shown and described herein are for the use of public utilities, electric companies, wire manufacturing companies, and similar panies, which use reels of cable or wire.

The depending portion N3 of the L-shaped member I! is secured at its lower end to the lower end or" the ram l6 by means of a bolt or screw lfir, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

By this means the depending portion ll? of the L-shaped member I! is always kept in proper alinement with the usual rack bar of the operating mechanism.

Near the upper end of the bar 33 is a projecting member 339: which is adapted to travel up and down in the groove 3| a in the tubular member 3|. 1 The outward movement of the bar 33 is limited when the projection 33m comes into contact with the shoulder 3lb at the lower end of the grooves Ma.

The wall of the casing I3 from the point |3:c is cut away as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Into the opening thus formed a projection l8a: at the lower end of the depending portion l8 of the member l1 travels during the vertical movement of the ram Hi.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of the invention will be understood without further description.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, and a brace arm pivoted to another side of said casing.

2. In a lifting jack provided with an L-shaped member having integral therewith a projection provided with a vertical cylindrical hole therein and a yoke having a cylindrical shank disposed in said hole, an extensible brace arm provided with means whereby it may be pivotally connected to either side of the jack casing at right angles to the projection on said arm.

3. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, and a brace arm which is extensible with its lower end pointed and its upper end pivoted to the casing of said jack 4. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, and a brace arm the lower end of which is pointed and has outwardly extending flanges secured thereto above said pointed end, said arm being pivotally connected at its upper end to the upper end of the jack casing.

5. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, a brace arm pivotally secured to the upper end of the jack casing, and spring clips secured to the lower end of said casing to grip the brace arm when not in use.

6. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, a brace arm pivotally secured to the upper end of the'jaok casing and comprising two sections of which the upper section is tubular with the lower section telescoping therein, said lower section having a plurality of holes therein, a fiat spring secured to the upper section, and a locking pin on said spring adapted to enter either of said holes.

7. A lifting jack having secured to the upper end of the ram, an L-shaped member of which a portion extends downwardly along one side of the casing of said jack and has integral therewith an outwardly extending projection, a swivel yoke on said projection, a brace arm pivotally secured to the upper end of the jack casing and comprising two sections of which the upper section is tubular with the lower section telescoping therein, said lower section having a plurality of holes therein, a flat spring secured to the upper section, a locking pin on said spring adapted to enter either of said holes, and means for limiting the outward movement of said spring.

FRANK L. GORMLEY. HUGH S. BROWN. 

